With the recent full approval of the Pfizer vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), public health officials are more confident in the effectiveness of the vaccine. 

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says with the FDA giving full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, it may help alleviate concerns for those holding out on getting the vaccine should know that the FDA has a high standard for approval. 

“It’s a very strict thing and worldwide our United States Food and Drug Administration is the gold standard for approval of medicines.”

Cochran tells Raccoon Valley Radio when people go to other places such as Canada or Mexico to get medicines that aren’t FDA approved they are taking a risk by doing so. Cochran says people should feel comfortable with the vaccine knowing it has been fully approved.

“You can be confident that this medication, this vaccine, is in no way going to harm and will help you in many ways.”

Cochran says while the Pfizer vaccine has been given full approval by the FDA, there is currently none at the health department because the newly authorized Comirnaty vaccine is the vaccine that needs to be stored in extremely cold temperatures which Dallas County doesn’t have access to.